Nigeria’s U-23 men’s handball squad has been drawn into Group B of the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship, where they will face the United States of America, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Moldova. The highly anticipated tournament is scheduled to take place from March 11 to 16 in Varna, Bulgaria.
The group stage allocations were officially announced by the International Handball Federation (IHF) on Wednesday after the draw was conducted at the IHF headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. The Nigerian team, expected to be led by coach Solomon Yola, will be making their third appearance at the championship and will be aiming for a stronger performance.
Having competed against two of their Group B opponents in previous editions, Nigeria enters the tournament with a sense of familiarity. In their debut outing at the 2019 Emerging Nations Championship in Georgia, they suffered a group-stage defeat to the USA. However, in the 2023 edition, which was also held in Bulgaria, they secured a victory over Azerbaijan, showcasing their potential at this level.
Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) President, Samuel Ocheho, expressed optimism about the team’s chances, highlighting the opportunity to build on past performances. He acknowledged the competitiveness of the group but emphasized the potential for improvement.
“This group presents both challenges and possibilities for our boys. It’s a chance for them to surpass their previous 7th-place finish and make a stronger impact in the tournament,” Ocheho stated. “We are committed to providing the team with all the necessary support to ensure they excel on this international stage.”
Additionally, Ocheho called on the National Sports Commission to back the HFN’s efforts in promoting Nigerian handball on the global scene, reinforcing the federation’s dedication to the sport’s development and success.
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